Mariners bring back Seth Smith, Nori Aoki claimed by Astros
Nov 3, 2016, 2:57 PM | Updated: 3:06 pm
The Mariners kept an outfielder and lost an outfielder on Thursday afternoon.
Shortly after Seattle announced it had picked up the $7 million option on Seth Smith’s contract, the Houston Astros announced they had claimed Nori Aoki off of waivers. Aoki, who had an option for 2017 with the Mariners that did not vest, is still under club control and is arbitration eligible as he had not accumulated enough service time to become a free agent.
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“We appreciate all that Nori did for us this season,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a press release. “Particularly in the second half, he made some key contributions to our success.”
The Mariners also announced that they have declined the $4.25 million option for 2017 on catcher Chris Iannetta and reinstated pitcher Nathan Karns from the 60-day DL. Iannetta joins Adam Lind, Franklin Gutierrez, Dae-Ho Lee and Drew Storen as 2016 Mariners who became free agents Thursday. They will all be free to sign with any club after 6 p.m. on Nov. 8.
Following Thursday’s moves, the Mariners 40-man roster is now at 35.
